UWA looks to turn season of firsts into playoff win

West Alabama, led by Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year Ridge Wilson (2), takes on Miles College today in the first round of the Division II playoffs.

Michael Clements | Tuscaloosa News

By Cameron KiszlaSpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 10:10 p.m.

After finishing the regular season 8-3 and advancing to the playoffs, coach Will Hall is pleased with the way his University of West Alabama football team has played this season, especially considering some of the hurdles it had to overcome.

“We did three things this year that have never been done in the history of our school: We won at Valdosta State, we beat Delta State, Valdosta and North Alabama in the same year and we won the first outright GSC championship in school history,” Hall said. “So, from that standpoint, it's been just an outstanding year. The Division II losses we had were disappointing, as was losing Matt Willis in the middle of the year. For him to go down the way he did was just a tragic thing for him and our fans and our football program. In the games we lost, we didn't feel like we put our best foot forward. So those are disappointing, but to do those things we did — that's a huge step in the right direction for our program.”

Besides Hall, who won Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year honors, one of the keys to the Tigers' success has been the defense. Newcomer Ridge Wilson, who transferred from Kentucky, has made an immediate impact, winning the honor of GSC Defensive Player of the Year behind his 15.5 tackles for loss and 50 total tackles. Wilson attributes his success to preparation and a desire to disrupt the opposing offense.

“Success on game day is preparation, watching film,” Wilson said. “What you do on Saturday is what you've done all week, watching film, repeating the play. Every play I'm trying to get off the ball, get on the edge of the linemen, get the linemen on their toes, trying to be a problem for the quarterback and offensive coordinator. I'm trying to be relentless every play, being a problem to the quarterback and offensive line, getting a sack, squeezing the pocket. I want to be a problem.”

The Tiger defense has taken a similar philosophy to Wilson's, and Hall was impressed with the way it played.

“They've all played well,” Hall said. “We've gotten better as the season has gone on. That's credit to our seniors and assistant coaches. We're No. 1 in the nation in pass defense and (fourth) overall in total defense. We were able to mesh those new guys in, and I think it's had a positive impact on our program.”

Wilson has drawn inspiration from the school mascot.

“We just get after our opponent,” Wilson said. “We use the mentality of a tiger. A tiger doesn't sit back and wait for his prey. He is aggressive, he pursues. We're Tigers, so we have to play like tigers. We play aggressive, play with intensity and play smart.”

When the Tigers face Miles today, the defense may again be the key to the game, Hall said.

“They're quarterback is a great, great player,” he said. “I think the key to this game is what is always the key for us, it's to allow our defense to be a great defense. Don't give up long returns. If we have to punt, make sure we get down there to cover it. I think the physical aspect of the game will be big. We've been pretty good all year in the trenches. I think those matchups will be big as well.”

With Miles being an in-state opponent, Wilson sees this game as a rivalry of sorts, and he wants to make his coaches proud.

“It means a lot,” Wilson said. “It's a big game similar to a North Alabama game. I want to win this game for the coaches. To be able to play for a guy like him, it makes you want to give your all. This game is about respect. I feel like a few opponents don't respect me, they don't respect my team, they don't respect my coaches. So I want to go out there and make them respect us.”

<p>After finishing the regular season 8-3 and advancing to the playoffs, coach Will Hall is pleased with the way his University of West Alabama football team has played this season, especially considering some of the hurdles it had to overcome.</p><p>“We did three things this year that have never been done in the history of our school: We won at Valdosta State, we beat Delta State, Valdosta and North Alabama in the same year and we won the first outright GSC championship in school history,” Hall said. “So, from that standpoint, it's been just an outstanding year. The Division II losses we had were disappointing, as was losing Matt Willis in the middle of the year. For him to go down the way he did was just a tragic thing for him and our fans and our football program. In the games we lost, we didn't feel like we put our best foot forward. So those are disappointing, but to do those things we did — that's a huge step in the right direction for our program.”</p><p>Besides Hall, who won Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year honors, one of the keys to the Tigers' success has been the defense. Newcomer Ridge Wilson, who transferred from Kentucky, has made an immediate impact, winning the honor of GSC Defensive Player of the Year behind his 15.5 tackles for loss and 50 total tackles. Wilson attributes his success to preparation and a desire to disrupt the opposing offense.</p><p>“Success on game day is preparation, watching film,” Wilson said. “What you do on Saturday is what you've done all week, watching film, repeating the play. Every play I'm trying to get off the ball, get on the edge of the linemen, get the linemen on their toes, trying to be a problem for the quarterback and offensive coordinator. I'm trying to be relentless every play, being a problem to the quarterback and offensive line, getting a sack, squeezing the pocket. I want to be a problem.”</p><p>The Tiger defense has taken a similar philosophy to Wilson's, and Hall was impressed with the way it played.</p><p>“They've all played well,” Hall said. “We've gotten better as the season has gone on. That's credit to our seniors and assistant coaches. We're No. 1 in the nation in pass defense and (fourth) overall in total defense. We were able to mesh those new guys in, and I think it's had a positive impact on our program.”</p><p>Wilson has drawn inspiration from the school mascot.</p><p>“We just get after our opponent,” Wilson said. “We use the mentality of a tiger. A tiger doesn't sit back and wait for his prey. He is aggressive, he pursues. We're Tigers, so we have to play like tigers. We play aggressive, play with intensity and play smart.”</p><p>When the Tigers face Miles today, the defense may again be the key to the game, Hall said.</p><p>“They're quarterback is a great, great player,” he said. “I think the key to this game is what is always the key for us, it's to allow our defense to be a great defense. Don't give up long returns. If we have to punt, make sure we get down there to cover it. I think the physical aspect of the game will be big. We've been pretty good all year in the trenches. I think those matchups will be big as well.”</p><p>With Miles being an in-state opponent, Wilson sees this game as a rivalry of sorts, and he wants to make his coaches proud.</p><p>“It means a lot,” Wilson said. “It's a big game similar to a North Alabama game. I want to win this game for the coaches. To be able to play for a guy like him, it makes you want to give your all. This game is about respect. I feel like a few opponents don't respect me, they don't respect my team, they don't respect my coaches. So I want to go out there and make them respect us.”</p>